SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Eric Bischoff: ‘Had There Been No nWo, I Don’t Think WWE Would Exist Today’

    Eric Bischoff: ‘Had There Been No nWo, I Don’t Think WWE Would Exist Today’

    Eric Bischoff has made a bold claim about the impact of the nWo on wrestling history.

    The former WCW President was recently interviewed by Robert Breedlove on his What Is Money podcast. Bischoff went through his whole journey in pro wrestling during the show.

    While detailing WCW’s rise to prominence under him, Eric mentioned that he knew the company could not compete with WWE in their own game. So Bischoff chose to focus on things they could do differently. This included going live and leaning towards a more reality-based programming which resulted in the introduction of nWo.

    The former SmackDown Executive Director discussed how this gave WCW the upper hand for a long time. This continued until Vince McMahon decided to adapt to the circumstances and deliver his infamous promo, ushering in the Attitude Era:

    “In ’97 Vince McMahon came out and said ‘Okay we’re no longer going to insult our intelligence. We’re going to bring more reality-based storylines to our audience’ and basically copy the formula that I used to beat him for 83 weeks in a row.

    They did a phenomenal job. They actually did it bigger and better than I did. They had more latitude. They were able to do things that I couldn’t do because of the network programming executives I had to answer to. They turned that business around.”

    Bigger And Better

    Eric Bischoff then made a bold claim about the influence of nWo in pro wrestling. He reasoned that had nWo and the WCW programming not forced McMahon’s hand, WWE would have ceased to exist:

    “Had there been no…and this is the part that’ll be controversial, but it’s true. Had there been no nWo I don’t think WWE would exist today.

    Because when Vince McMahon changed his model. When he replicated what we were doing but did it bigger and better his business exploded. Within two years he took his company public based on the success of that transformation and recently sold a year ago for 9 billion dollars.”

    Of course, we can never really know what would have been the result had Vince McMahon decided to double down on their version of pro wrestling instead of adapting to the change. The only thing that is certain is that his promo was the official start of an era that changed the business forever and its effect will continue to be felt in wrestling for a long time to come.

  • Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest Promise Brutality For the Judgment Day After WWE RAW

    Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest Promise Brutality For the Judgment Day After WWE RAW

    Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest are ready to wage war with the ‘New’ Judgment Day after what has transpired since SummerSlam. At the Biggest Party of the Summer, Priest and Ripley were betrayed by Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio respectively and would come up short in their championship matches.

    On RAW, it was revealed that Balor, Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Carlito have remained aligned and have added Liv Morgan to their ranks. Priest’s match with McDonagh ended in a DQ when the Judgment Day members got involved, but Ripley came to the aid of the former World Heavyweight Champion.

    Speaking after the show, Damian Priest made clear that there’s more to being a true member of the Judgment Day than having the name.

    “They call themselves The Judgment Day, but that whack ass group is not The Judgment Day. Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest are The Judgment Day, not those clowns.”

    Rhea Ripley agreed with her ally and vowed that brutality is coming for the new Judgment Day after all that has transpired.

    “After all this bloody betrayal, I don’t think they’re actually ready for the brutality that we’re going to hand them, because it’s going down.”

    The saga of the Judgment Day has been lengthy and has seen multiple members be recruited and exiled from the gothic faction. Now, Priest and Ripley, two of the faction’s longest-serving members find themselves on the outside. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for more of this war of the Judgment Day.

  • Why Zilla Fatu Was At WWE SummerSlam

    Why Zilla Fatu Was At WWE SummerSlam

    Zilla Fatu, who is the son of late WWE star Umaga, was recently spotted at last Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam PLE in Cleveland. Zilla was promoted for a UPW Wrestling show in Michigan on Saturday and GCW’s New Jersey show on Sunday. However, he missed both the shows which led to speculation that he officially signed with WWE during the SummerSlam weekend. Well, that is not the case.

    Fightful Select has reported that Zilla Fatu ended up having travel delays and cancelations that would put him at the show on time. The report suggested that WWE “naturally has their eyes on him”, but he is still expected to make appearances for GCW in the future.

    The real-life Bloodline member trained at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling school and made his pro-wrestling debut at ROW Summer Of Champions IX in July last year. He has also competed for GCW and HOG. Fatu also won the HOG Crown Jewel Title during the promotion’s event on July 26.

    WWE SummerSlam proved to be an important event for the Bloodline storyline. Solo Sikoa failed to dethrone the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a Bloodline Rules Match. Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa interfered in the match but things didn’t work for them. Roman Reigns made his blockbuster return wearing the “Original Tribal Chief” (OTC) shirt. ‘The Head of The Table’ then laid out his cousin Solo Sikoa with a Superman Punch before hitting a Spear. This helped Cody Rhodes to capitalize and retain the title.

  • Rhea Ripley Opens Up About Balancing Real-Life Relationships With Wrestling Storylines

    Rhea Ripley Opens Up About Balancing Real-Life Relationships With Wrestling Storylines

    Rhea Ripley says managing real-life relationships with what’s happening on TV is all about communication and respecting each other.

    The Mami recently spoke to TVInsider where she talked about things such as the growing women’s division of WWE, NXT’s partnership with TNA, and more.

    Ripley who has been involved in a long-running angle with Dominik Mysterio was asked what it’s like managing storylines with stuff that happens outside the world of pro wrestling.

    The former Women’s Champion who got married to the love of her life Buddy Matthews earlier this year noted how the AEW star is very understanding of her situation:

    “There is a level of respect. Luckily for me, Buddy [Matthews] is in the business, so he knows what goes on and is needed from us. He understands my schedule, storylines, everything. He gets it.”

    I Feel Safe With Him: Rhea Ripley

    Rhea Ripley mentioned how Buddy was involved in a similar angle during his time with WWE. The two feel safe with each other because they communicate their feelings:

    “He was in the same sort of thing with Aalyah Mysterio. I feel like us keeping communication of what is going on is the level of respect that is needed between an actual relationship and an onscreen relationship. He knows I love him, and I feel safe with him. And he feels safe with me, nothing will change that.”

    Speaking about Dominik, Rhea noted that they have a lot of fun together too and she loves working with the son of WWE Hall of Famer.

    The Australian star’s relationship with Dirty Dom, however, seems to be over after the latter betrayed her and aligned himself with Liv Morgan at the SummerSlam PPV this past Saturday.

    Though Ripley is not in the mood to let Dom get off so easily. After the events of this week’s Raw, she has promised to deliver unprecedented brutality to Mysterio and the rest of Finn Balor’s new Judgement Day.

  • The Wyatt Sicks Win In-Ring Debut on WWE Raw

    The Wyatt Sicks Win In-Ring Debut on WWE Raw

    The sinister Wyatt Sicks picked up an important victory on the latest episode of WWE RAW in the first match for the group as a unit. The faction was represented by Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan to take on Chad Gable and the Creed Brothers while Uncle Howdy and Nikki Cross watched on.

    Despite how impactful the Wyatt Sicks has been since arriving, it was Gable and the Creeds, dubbed American Made, that dominated the majority of the action by isolating Gacy and utilizing quick tags. The finish of the match saw Gacy make the hot tag to Erick Rowan who would obliterate the competition before winning the match for his team.

    This week’s RAW didn’t just see the Wyatt Sicks in action, but saw another member of the group receive the spotlight via a VHS tape delivered to production. This week it was the turn of Joe Gacy, aka Huskus the Pig, who had the focus. In the video, the former NXT talent was sat alone backstage and vowed that others will pay for what has happened.

    Since the arrival of the Wyatt Sicks, there has been speculation as to how the group would fare when in matches and if they could maintain their mystique. If this week’s RAW is any indication, fans can expect plenty more from the macabre faction that continues to lay waste to opponents on Monday Night RAW.

  • Watch: What Happened With The Wyatt Sicks After (8/5) Raw Went Off Air

    Watch: What Happened With The Wyatt Sicks After (8/5) Raw Went Off Air

    The Wyatt Sicks shared an emotional moment together after their first win on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw from CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

    The group has been terrorizing the roster since their official debut on the June 17 episode of the Red Branded Show a couple months ago.

    They finally made their in-ring debut tonight with Erick Rowan as Rambling Rabbit, Dexter Lumis as Mercy the Buzzard and Joe Gacy as Huskus the Pig facing the trio of Chad Gable & The Creed Brothers in the main event.

    As expected, the Wyatts picked up the victory in the bout. Gacy and Lumis first took out the Creed brothers after sending them crashing through the announce desk. The trio then attacked Gable together and Lumis pinned the former Olympian after a splash from the top rope.

    The show ended with Bo Dallas’ Uncle Howdy and Nikki Cross’ Abby the Witch joining the rest of the group in the ring to pose. They stayed in the ring even after the show went off air and as seen in the video below, the group shared an emotional moment together, remembering the late Bray Wyatt:

    What Happened On Raw

    Tonight’s episode of the Monday Night show felt very much like a Raw After Mania. It had a number of big moments that got people talking.

    The opening segment featured the new World Heavyweight Champion Gunther celebrating his big win at SummerSlam. He was interrupted by Randy Orton however and a match between the two was then made official for the upcoming Bash In Berlin special on August 31.

    We also saw Finn Balor debuting the new Judgment Day after betraying Damian Priest at the PLE this past Saturday. You can check out all the developments related to that here.

  • Watch: Finn Balor Introduces The New Judgment Day on Raw

    Watch: Finn Balor Introduces The New Judgment Day on Raw

    The New and improved Judgement Day is here. SummerSlam saw the implosion of the group’s most recent incarnation, with Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest getting betrayed by Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor respectively. The big question coming out of the show was about the future of the faction and we got some answers on the latest episode of WWE Raw from CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

    An angry Damian Priest stormed to the ring during the show and challenged Finn Balor to come out and confront him, although Balor did not show up. Priest cut a promo about how he had found a family in Judgement Day before confirming his face turn saying that all the fans were his family now.

    Balor finally appeared on the Titan Tron and explained how their group was never supposed to have a leader until Damian won the World Title. Balor reminded the former champion that he cost him a world title opportunity last year and said that JD McDonagh will fight Priest on his behalf.

    The former Bullet Club leader told Damian Priest that he will let Priest feel safe and comfortable before striking again and said that he won’t be alone. Balor then introduced the world to the new Judgement Day as Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, Carlito, and McDonagh all walked into the frame.

    The match between McDonagh and Priest took place later in the night with Carlito being at the ringside. The bout ended in a disqualification however, when Balor made a surprise appearance and blindsided Priest. The rest of Balor’s teammates joined him in attacking the former World Champion. This continued until Rhea Ripley’s music hit and she came down to make the save.

    Liv and Dominik tried to retreat but Rhea caught Morgan and sent her crashing through the ring post twice. The Mami looked to deliver a Razor’s Edge on Morgan through the announce table but Dom saved her. Rhea then got back into the ring and delivered a headbutt to McDonagh. Priest followed it up with a South of Heaven and the segment ended with the two stars hugging each other.

    Following this latest shakeup, the new Judgment Day does not contain a single member of the original group, led by Edge (Adam Copeland)

  • WWE RAW: Seth Rollins Destroyed By Bronson Reed On 8/5 Episode

    WWE RAW: Seth Rollins Destroyed By Bronson Reed On 8/5 Episode

    ‘Big’ Bronson Reed kicked off a feud with Seth Rollins during the latest episode of RAW by destroying the former Universal Champion during the show. After a segment between Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk, Reed struck and assaulted Seth. The Australian hit six Tsunami finishers, leaving Rollins gasping for breath and starting their feud with an immediate impact.

    Rollins was seen coughing up blood and was attended to by officials before being helped out of the ring. Reed’s assault came after he was upset earlier in the night that he wasn’t booked for a match and said he’d have to make a path of his own.

    In a backstage interview, Reed justified his attack on Seth Rollins.

    “I’ve been telling the whole world I’m one of the best in this business week after week, and it’s falling onto deaf ears. So tonight, I did what I had to do. I crushed one of WWE’s golden boys. I hit tsunami after tsunami after tsunami after tsunami on Seth Rollins. To show you all, I’m not here to play around. The killer is unleashed, and Bronson Reed is at the very top of this business.”

    Reed certainly made an impact, despite struggling earlier this week to make it to the show. On Twitter, Reed shared that his flight to RAW had been canceled twice.

    A feud with Seth Rollins is a huge opportunity for Bronson Reed, three years after he was released from WWE. His exit came about as Vince McMahon did not see him as a main roster talent so cut the then-NXT Superstar. Reed returned in 2022 as part of a series of rehirings under Triple H. Since then he has competed for the Intercontinental title and won the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

  • Randy Orton vs. Gunther Set for WWE Bash in Berlin (8/31)

    Randy Orton vs. Gunther Set for WWE Bash in Berlin (8/31)

    Gunther opened Monday’s WWE RAW to address the audience as World Heavyweight champion for the first time. We quickly learned that his first challenger as the new champion will be WWE legend Randy Orton. The Viper made an unannounced appearance and it was immediately clear what he was there to do. Orton and Gunther went face to face and they will clash in just three weeks in Germany.

    The 14-time World Champion told Gunther that he sees greatness in him and is eager to test himself against today’s top dog on WWE Raw:

    “It think these fans deserve a modern-day Flair vs Steamboat.”

    Randy Orton will challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight championship at the first WWE Bash in Berlin on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.

    Bash in Berlin Main Event

    WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Card Predictions for Rhea Ripley, Ilja Dragunov & more

  • WWE Raw Results (08/05)

    WWE Raw Results (08/05)

    The August 5th episode of WWE Raw takes place from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, and is being broadcast on the SyFy Channel. Follow along with our coverage and enjoy the show!

    -The show begins with Ludwig Kaiser introducing the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, GUNTHER. The Ring General comes out to the ring dressed in a suit and cuts a promo claiming that he can finally bring prestige back to professional wrestling now that he is at the top of the mountain. GUNTHER doesn’t speak for long as he is interrupted by, RANDY ORTON!

    -Orton tells GUNTHER that he looks good with the title around his waist, but that the only reason he’s champion is because he scored a controversial victory over him at King of the Ring. The Viper reminds the WWE Universe that the referee’s decision is final, but now he wants his rematch, and he wants it at Bash at Berlin. GUNTHER thinks for a moment and accepts the challenge. The two men shake hands and Michael Cole confirms on commentary that the match is set.

    -Michael Cole and Pat McAfee remind us that the first hour of tonight’s Raw is commercial-free. We cut backstage where Sheamus is being interviewed. He asks the good people of Baltimore if they’re ready for a BANGER! They all cheer and he enters the arena for his matchup against Kaiser.

    Match 1: Sheamus defeated Ludwig Kaiser with The Brogue Kick. Pete Dunne interfered and tried to cost Sheamus but the Celtic Warrior overcame the odds. Dunne and Sheamus had an epic staredown afterward.

    -A video package aired hyping the Wyatt Sicks first official matchup since debuting. They will be battling Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers. We cut to another video showing Gable and The Creeds entering the arena, looking confident.

    -Damian Priest is out next. He is ENRAGED with Finn Balor, telling his former Judgment Day comrade that he will cause him a great amount of pain for betraying him at SummerSlam. Priest later tells Balor that his family grew (referencing the WWE Universe) at SummerSlam, and that he will not disappoint them again.

    -Balor pops up on the screen. He tells Priest that he didn’t betray him, but that Priest betrayed Judgment Day. He pulls up a photo from 2023 SummerSlam, when Balor challenged for the world title against Seth Rollins, but lost due to the teased cash-in from Priest that distracted him. He tells Priest that he will happily make his life a living hell along with the rest of Judgment Day. The camera pulls back and reveals that Liv Morgan and Carlito are now official members, alongside JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio.

    -Backstage Adam Pearce gets approached by Bronson Reed. Reed is unhappy and tells Pearce that he plans to stop following the rules because that’s the only way anyone gets what they want in WWE.

    Match 2: Lyra Valkyria defeated Shayna Baszler by DQ after Sonya Deville and Zoey Stark attacked Valkyria. This led to Damage CTRL coming up and clearing the ring.

    -Karrion Kross cuts a backstage promo alongside The Final Testament. He says the clock is running out on The New Day. He reminds Xavier Woods that he was given ample opportunities to join the Final Testament, but promises instead to allow him to be a part of the death of the New Day.

    -Back from commercial. Chad Gable reveals that he and The Creeds will face the Wyatt Sicks in the main event of tonight’s Raw. He also tells Maxxine Dupri that he’s officially done with her, Otis, and Akira Tozawa, and that they can keep the Alpha Academy name.

    -A smiling CM Punk is out next for a promo. He tells the fans in Baltimore that he should be angry or upset that he lost at SummerSlam to Drew McIntyre, but the truth is that he was told by WWE that he would need 9 months to recover from his injury and he did it in five. He claims that his road to WrestleMania 41 begins now and that he will once again battle his way to the top.

    He then calls out Drew McIntyre for round two, but McIntyre doesn’t answer, Seth Rollins does. Rollins tells Punk that he is ready to fight and the two prepare to square off. Before they fight McIntyre interrupts them from the crowd and touts his victory from SummerSlam. He teases Punk by showing off the bracelet with AJ and Larry’s name on it. Punk darts out of the ring and chases McIntyre, leaving Rollins all alone in the ring.

    However, Rollins doesn’t remain alone for long. Bronson Reed attacks and lays Rollins out! He hits six Tsunamis before security escorts him out. Rollins is spitting up blood.

    Back from break, Adam Pearce says that Rollins is not doing good at all after Reed’s attack. CM Punk runs up to him looking for Drew McIntyre. Pearce says he walked McIntyre out of the arena and that they’re not touching each other tonight.

    Match 3: The New Day defeated Authors of Pain (w/Karrion Kross, Scarlett & Paul Ellering) after Woods catches Akam with an inside cradle. Odyssey Jones debuts and helps the New Day fight the Final Testament off. Jones looked great, and hit both members of the AoP with a slam at the same time.

    -A video airs showing JD McDonagh cutting a fiery promo on Damian Priest. The footage shows JD’s history with Priest in Judgment Day and how the two never trusted each other. The two are set to clash later in the show, where JD promises to unleash his full ‘Irish Ace’ persona and put a beating on Priest.

    -Back from break, we see Odyssey Jones’ debut played once again. We then cut backstage, where Kofi Kingston formally introduced Jones to Xavier Woods. Kofi says that he asked Jones to help provide some muscle for their fight against the Final Testament. Woods who does not seem too crazy that Jones is there. The Alpha Academy comes in after to celebrate with them.

    Match 4: A-Town Down Under defeated The Awesome Truth. Miz looks really unhappy on the outside of the ring after.

    -A video airs showing a Damian Priest promo. He confirms all of the things JD McDonagh said earlier, how he never trusted him, and how he plans on starting his tour of revenge by smashing his dopey big head. Priest promises that he will have plenty in the tank for Balor whenever he gets his hands on them.

    -Back from break, we cut to a backstage interview with new WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker. He says that even though he’s the champ, he remains the hunter. He aggressively looks into the camera and declares that no man can take the title from him.

    Match 5: Damian Priest defeated JD McDonagh by DQ after Finn Balor attacked him. Priest had to be held back by every member of Judgment Day but he was unable to overpower them all. Rhea Ripley runs out to a huge pop and places a beating on Liv Morgan. She goes to powerbomb Morgan through a table but Dominik pulls her away. Ripley and Priest stand tall to end the segment.

    -Footage plays of Roman Reigns’ return at WWE SummerSlam. If you missed it, the Original Tribal Chief attacked Solo Sikoa and helped Cody Rhodes retain the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.

    -Damage CTRL gets jumped backstage by Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark. They target Dakota Kai’s knee, and claim that Kai will no longer wrestle tonight.

    Match 6: IYO SKY defeated Sonya Deville after hitting her signature moonsault. Zoey Stark tried to interfere but SKY overcame and scored a win.

    -Backstage we see Sami Zayn talking to Ilja Dragunov. Jey Uso walks in and hypes up Zayn with a bunch of Yeets. Zayn reveals that he will get his rematch against Bron Breakker on next Monday’s Raw, with the I.C. title on the line.

    -Another Wyatt Sicks video plays. After it plays, Chad Gable reveals that he and The Creeds will now be known as American Made.

    Match 7: Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis) defeated American Made. Lumis scored the winning pinfall after hitting Gable with a top rope splash. The faction stands tall with the lantern in the center of the ring to end the show.

  • Bron Breakker to John Cena: “Grow Some Balls! Come Take The Championship From Me”

    Bron Breakker to John Cena: “Grow Some Balls! Come Take The Championship From Me”

    Bron Breakker has made a very interesting proposition for John Cena’s retirement tour after winning the Intercontinental Championship from Sami Zayn at SummerSlam.

    SEScoops correspondent MuscleManMalcolm caught up with the former NXT Champion at the WWE SummerSlam media day. They discussed things such as Breakker’s time in the NFL, his unique way of hyping himself, and more.

    When asked about challenging Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at the PLE tonight, Bron mentioned his Money In The Bank loss against Zayn. The WWE superstar claimed that Sami caught him unprepared the first time, but now he is ready for everything:

    “You know what, I’m prepared for everything. Anything and everything this weekend. Because, you know, I think we gotta give credit where credit’s due. Sami Zayn caught me sleeping per say at Money In The Bank, but I’m locked and loaded man. Focused like shit. Effort, attitude, toughness, gonna be on full display this weekend. I’m taking it to him. So I’m ready for everything.”

    Bron Breakker Wants To Face John Cena

    Bron Breakker also put forward a very interesting proposition when asked who he would like to defend the Championship against. The 26-year-old mentioned how John Cena has never held the IC title in his career, and challenged the 16-time world champion to come take the belt from him:

    “John Cena. He has never won the Intercontinental Championship before. So I say come take it from me. Come take the Championship from me. Grow some balls, come take the Championship from me. Let’s go. Let’s do it.”

    The Cenation Leader has confirmed that he will be active throughout 2025 and he is planning to make around 25-30 appearances for the company.

    The Hollywood star chasing the IC title to become a Grand Slam Champion before his official retirement would certainly make for a very interesting story in his final year.

  • Jade Cargill On Her Competitive Relationship With Bianca Belair

    Jade Cargill On Her Competitive Relationship With Bianca Belair

    Jade Cargill tells SEScoops that her tag team with longtime friend Bianca Belair was like peanut butter and jelly, but at the end of the day, they’re both elite athletes and even they are competitive with one another.

    Cargill has quickly found success in WWE after making her debut at the Royal Rumble on January 27. After a dominant run in All Elite Wrestling as a singles talent, wrestling fans believed she would immediately follow the same career path in WWE. However, WWE Chief Content Officier Paul “Triple H” Levesque decided to pair her with Bianca Belair, which has led to the two powerhouse superstars becoming a fan-favorite tag team and great friends.

    Cargill and Belair became the Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) at Backlash on May 4. Although their reign didn’t last long, the “Babyface” duo have continued to be featured prominently on TV. In addition to their successful partnership, they developed a strong bond outside the ring.

    In an interview with SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay over SummerSlam 2024 weekend, Cargill discussed her friendship with the “EST” and how their chemistry came together. 

    “It’s just natural. I mean, I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time. It’s like peanut butter and jelly,” said Cargill.

    “…It’s like we have similar experiences in different ways. The chemistry just came off naturally. It wasn’t anything that was forced.”

    While they have become great friends on and offscreen, Cargill and Belair have also engaged in friendly competition in the ring. Fans have seen both superstars showcase their athleticism in matches over the last few months. In the interview, Cargill commented on their competitiveness and how they push each other in the ring.

    “At the core, we’re athletes, so we always want to one-up one another, right?”

    “That’s what makes our tag team one of one, and while we’re out there and doing things that we’re doing and doing nothing but wanting to elevate the women’s division.”

    WWE’s decision to pair them has worked in Cargill’s favor, as she continues to show growth in the ring and has silenced some of her critics. The experience of working as a tag team could lead to the former AEW superstar standing out more on her own in the future. For now, Cargill and Belair are focused on reclaiming the tag titles from The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn)and dominating the women’s division. 

  • “A Good Run” – Logan Paul Breaks Silence After Devastating Loss at WWE SummerSlam

    “A Good Run” – Logan Paul Breaks Silence After Devastating Loss at WWE SummerSlam

    Logan Paul has been reflecting on his time as WWE United States Champion after his reign came to an end at SummerSlam 2024. To Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again, the Maverick looked back on some moments from his reign, including his victory over Rey Mysterio, and sharing a bed with the star-spangled strap.

    Paul captured the title at WWE Crown Jewel in November 2023 and would go on to have the longest reign as United States Champion of the past ten years. Paul’s reign would see him defend against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble and against Owens and Randy Orton at WWE WrestleMania 40.

    The Maverick’s reign as champion ended at the hands of LA Knight in Paul’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. This win marks Knight’s first major title since arriving in WWE, a victory many fans believe was long overdue. Knight held the Million Dollar championship in WWE NXT though that is not a sanctioned title by the promotion.

    At the post-show media scrum, Knight told SE Scoops’ own Malcolm that he intends to build a legacy in WWE as United States Champion. That legacy-building will start this Friday as Paul is being advertised for the upcoming episode of SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Logan Paul isn’t advertised to be at the show but has said he’ll be in touch with Paul regarding the PRIME truck the new U.S. Champion damaged. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from the United States Championship and Logan Paul.

  • The Bloodline Civil War: WWE Timeline

    The Bloodline Civil War: WWE Timeline

    The Bloodline, the most dominant wrestling stable in WWE, has been a tour de force on the SmackDown brand since its formation in 2021. The group, primarily composed of members from the Anoa’i family, has seen numerous internal conflicts, culminating in what is now becoming the “Bloodline Civil War.”

    This timeline explores the key events leading up to and during this tumultuous period, including the formation of the group and the creation of Bloodline 2.0.

    Formation of The Bloodline (2020–2021)

    The Return of Roman Reigns

    Roman Reigns returned to WWE at SummerSlam 2020 after a five-month hiatus, aligning himself with Paul Heyman.

    This marked the beginning of his heel turn and the establishment of his character as the “Tribal Chief.”

    Reigns vs. The Usos

    Reigns’ first major feud was against his cousins, Jey and Jimmy Uso. At Clash of Champions 2020, Reigns defeated Jey, establishing his dominance and forcing Jey to acknowledge him as the head of the family.

    This storyline continued with a Hell in a Cell match at the eponymous event, where Jey again lost to Reigns.

    The Bloodline’s Official Formation

    In October 2020, Jey Uso aligned with Reigns, officially forming The Bloodline.

    Jimmy Uso joined the group in May 2021, after recovering from an injury, despite initial reluctance. This solidified The Bloodline as a dominant faction in WWE.

    The Bloodline’s Dominance (2021–2022)

    Championship Reigns

    Reigns’ reign as the Universal Champion began at Payback 2020 and continued through 2022, making him one of the longest-reigning champions in WWE history.

    The Usos also captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, further cementing the group’s dominance.

    Sami Zayn’s Inclusion

    In 2022, Sami Zayn began aligning himself with The Bloodline, eventually becoming an honorary member.

    His inclusion added an intriguing dynamic to the group, especially with his initial struggles to gain full acceptance.

    The Bloodline Civil War (2023–2024)

    Dissension Begins

    Tensions within The Bloodline started to surface in late 2022 and early 2023.

    At the Royal Rumble 2023, Zayn turned on Reigns, signaling the beginning of internal conflicts. Jey Uso’s loyalty wavered, and he walked out during the group’s attack on Zayn.

    WrestleMania 39 and Aftermath

    At WrestleMania 39, The Usos lost their tag team titles to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

    Reigns retained his title against Cody Rhodes with help from Solo Sikoa, adding to the group’s internal tension with gold now not around the waist of nearly every member.

    The Usos’ Betrayal

    The Usos’ discontent culminated at Night of Champions 2023 when Jimmy Uso attacked Reigns, costing him and Sikoa the tag team titles.

    This act of defiance marked the official start of the Bloodline Civil War.

    The Bloodline Splits

    In June 2023, Jey Uso sided with his brother Jimmy, effectively leaving The Bloodline.

    This led to a match at Money in the Bank 2023, where The Usos defeated Reigns and Sikoa, handing Reigns his first pinfall loss in over three years.

    The Rock’s Temporary Alliance

    The Bloodline briefly reformed somewhat with The Rock joining the group in February 2024.

    However, this was short-lived as both Reigns and The Rock took hiatuses following WrestleMania XL, where Reigns lost his titles to Cody Rhodes.

    Sikoa’s Leadership (2024–Present)

    The New Bloodline

    With Reigns and The Rock on hiatus, Solo Sikoa assumed leadership of The Bloodline.

    The group saw new members, including Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu, joining forces under Sikoa’s command.

    Continued Rivalries

    The new iteration of The Bloodline has continued to engage in high-profile feuds, including rekindling rivalries with Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Cody Rhodes.

  • Becky Lynch Fuels Speculation About Her Retirement

    Becky Lynch Fuels Speculation About Her Retirement

    Free agent Becky Lynch has left the fans wondering about her future in pro wrestling. ‘The Man’ has had a decorated career, having multiple accolades. The latest episode of “Biography: WWE Legends” documentary by A&E captures her illustrious career.

    Taking to her social media, Becky Lynch thanked people for watching her Biography episode that premiered Sunday on A&E. She reflected on her 10-year career and said that being ‘The Man’ was an honor and being the mother to Roux is a privilege. She wrote:

    “It’s been a helluva career. Being the Man for all of you was an honor, being the mom for her is a privilege. Thanks for watching my bio on @AETV.”

    Fans soon started speculating that she might be hanging up her boots. However, it seems that the post was only to promote her new biography episode. WWE veteran wrestler Natalya commented: “Truly enjoyed this!!!! And the best is yet to come.“ Nattie’s comment assured fans that Lynch is not retiring anytime soon.

    Becky Lynch’s contract expired on June 1. This is the first time that the 37-year-old star is a free agent since signing with WWE. Reports stated that Lynch was not extending her contract and would be taking an extended leave of absence.

    Back in May, the Irish superstar dropped the Women’s World title to Liv Morgan at WWE’s King & Queen Of The Ring PLE. Lynch once again got a shot at the title on Raw but she suffered a defeat in a Steel Cage match against Morgan. This marked Lynch’s final match under her previous WWE contract. 

    Becky Lynch has come a long way since joining WWE and it is expected that she could receive lucrative offers. Fightful Select reported that Lynch is expected to receive one of the biggest offers in pro wrestling history for female wrestler. It is to be seen what the future holds for Becky Lynch.

  • Judgment Day WWE Timeline: Formation, Edge, Dominik Mysterio, Betrayals & More

    Judgment Day WWE Timeline: Formation, Edge, Dominik Mysterio, Betrayals & More

    Since its inception at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, The Judgment Day has seen dramatic shifts, from its dark, supernatural beginnings under Edge to its transformation into a powerhouse group characterized by championship victories and shocking betrayals.

    This timeline explores the key events that have shaped The Judgment Day, highlighting the major plot twists and character developments that have kept WWE fans on the edge of their seats.

    Judgment Day Formation and Edge’s Leadership (2022)

    The Judgment Day, a professional wrestling stable, was founded by Edge on April 3, 2022, during WrestleMania 38.

    The group initially featured a supernatural/dark gothic theme, with Damian Priest as the first member to join Edge, followed by Rhea Ripley.

    Their debut match saw Edge defeating AJ Styles, with interference from Priest, setting the tone for their early dominance.

    Removing Edge and Adding Finn Bálor

    On June 6, 2022, Finn Bálor joined The Judgment Day, and in a shocking turn of events, Bálor, Priest, and Ripley ousted Edge from the group.

    This marked a significant shift in the group’s dynamics, moving away from supernatural elements to a more grounded, rebellious image.

    Addition of Dominik Mysterio (2022)

    The Judgment Day’s next major storyline involved a feud with Rey Mysterio and his son, Dominik.

    At Clash at the Castle on September 5, 2022, Dominik turned heel for the first time in his career by attacking Edge and Rey, subsequently joining The Judgment Day.

    This betrayal added a new layer of intrigue and familial conflict to the stable’s narrative, and would revitalize a group that was starting to feel stagnant.

    Quest for Gold (2023)

    Throughout 2023, The Judgment Day focused on acquiring championships. Rhea Ripley won the Women’s Royal Rumble match and subsequently the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 39.

    Dominik Mysterio also made his mark by winning the NXT North American Championship. Meanwhile, Damian Priest and Finn Bálor, as a tag team, sought to capture the Raw Tag Team Championship.

    Championship Reigns (2023–2024)

    The Judgment Day achieved significant milestones, holding titles across WWE’s three brands.

    Notably, Ripley became the Women’s World Champion, and Priest won the Money in the Bank contract.

    In 2024, at Payback, Bálor and Priest captured the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, solidifying their dominance.

    JD McDonagh Joins The Judgment Day

    JD McDonagh, initially an associate, officially joined The Judgment Day on November 13, 2023.

    McDonagh’s alliance with Finn Bálor, his real-life mentor, and the rest of the stable helped to bolster their ranks and contributed to their continued dominance in WWE.

    Dissension and Betrayals (2024–Present)

    Internal conflicts began surfacing in mid-2024. Tensions between Bálor and Priest were evident, leading to crucial matches and interference issues.

    At SummerSlam on August 3, 2024, Dominik Mysterio betrayed Ripley, aligning with Liv Morgan. This betrayal was followed by Finn Bálor turning on Priest.

  • WWE News: Roman Reigns Set for SmackDown, Now Listed As a Babyface

    WWE News: Roman Reigns Set for SmackDown, Now Listed As a Babyface

    WWE fans won’t have to wait long to hear Roman Reigns explain his actions in the closing moments of Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam premium live event.

    Roman Reigns is now advertised for Friday’s August 9, 2024 edition of WWE SmackDown from Tulsa, Oklahoma at the BOK Center. This marks his first SmackDown appearance since Friday, April 5 at the start of WrestleMania weekend.

    Reigns returned to WWE at the conclusion of SummerSlam to deliver a Superman Punch to Solo Sikoa and declare himself as the OTC (Original Tribal Chief). You can be sure he’s got a lot on his mind about everything that’s transpired with The Bloodline since WrestleMania. There’s a Bloodline Civil War brewing, but we know Reigns has even more waiting for him.

    Roman Reigns Returns to WWE as a Babyface

    It’s also worth noting that Reigns, along with Rhea Ripley and Damien Priest, are all listed as babyfaces on WWE’s internal roster, according to PWInsider. The Bloodline are the most hated heels in WWE, but Reigns’ opposition of the group he founded is guarantee that he’ll portraying a ‘good guy’ on television. WWE’s decision to position Reigns as a hero for this next run presents a host of new storytelling possibilities.

    The OTC has unfinished business with Cody Rhodes, the biggest babyface in the company, along with The Bloodline. Friday can’t get here soon enough.

    Watch Roman Reigns return at WWE SummerSlam (and 9 more big moments from the show) right here:

  • WWE Fans Missed A Big Clue That Dominik Mysterio Would Betray Rhea Ripley

    WWE Fans Missed A Big Clue That Dominik Mysterio Would Betray Rhea Ripley

    WWE SummerSlam 2024 is in the history books, and the fallout from the event will impact WWE storylines for months to come. The event perfectly balanced the start of a new era with the culmination of some long-running angles, giving us a lot to contemplate.

    A number of new champions were crowned at the show who are expected to be leading the charge of the company for many years to come. On the other hand, some of the biggest talking points came from the completion of many long-running arks.

    Dominik Mysterio’s betrayal of Rhea Ripley is one such storyline that has been in the making for a long time. We’ve been tracking the minute developments of this story for months. Now that Dirty Dom’s true intentions are out in the open, we can reflect on the whole thing to see the full picture.

    Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan’s Master Plan

    Looking back at the marquee angle of WWE Raw, we can say that the signs were always there. Liv Morgan had the remote in her hand the whole time and she had been pulling the strings to get exactly what she wanted.

    The biggest sign of it came at the King and Queen of The Ring PPV where Liv originally won the Women’s World Championship vacated by Rhea Ripley. At the time it appeared that Dominik Mysterio had accidentally helped Morgan win the title when he distracted the referee.

    A new slow motion video of the whole angle, however, shows that the two were always working together. In the video below, you can see Dirty Dom signaling his new associate to take advantage of the situation as he discreetly does what he is the best at:

    The Devil’s In The Details

    Morgan has also been in the ear of Finn Balor all this time. If you remember, Liv Morgan was the one who got Balor and JD McDonagh a rematch for the tag team championships, before helping them regain the title from The Miz and R Truth.

    Even after The Mami had returned to TV to take charge of The Judgement Day, Finn and Liv were spotted together one too many times. When Liv Morgan destroyed the faction’s clubhouse, she left the things belonging to the former Universal Champion untouched:

    Looking back at all the signs, it’s pretty clear that Liv Morgan has been the devil behind the details. She had been causing all the mayhem to fulfill her promise of taking everything that belonged to Ripley on her revenge tour.

    Now that she has successfully taken the group apart, the big thing to see will be how Rhea Ripley reacts to this betrayal and what she has in store for the Women’s Champion now.

    Stay tuned with SEScoops as we continue to follow the top storylines of the wrestling world and provide details to help enhance your pro wrestling experience.

  • Bron Breakker Promises IC Title Shot To Injured Star

    Bron Breakker Promises IC Title Shot To Injured Star

    Bron Breakker has promised an Intercontinental Championship match to Tyler Bate whenever the injured star returns to action.

    The 26-year-old won his first main roster title at the SummerSlam PPV this past Saturday when he defeated Sami Zayn in a singles match.

    The new champion appeared on a Fanatics Live auction on Sunday morning. He reiterated his comments about wanting to defend his title against John Cena.

    When an NXT Championship belt came up for auction, Breakker was asked which was the favorite match of his run with the title.

    He recalled his title unification match with Tyler Bate before promising a championship opportunity to the UK star whenever he comes back:

    “I feel like Tyler Bate and I [had a good match]. That was super early on too. I was still super brand new. He’s a little banged up right now, so I wish he comes back soon.

    And you know what, whenever you get back my man, you want to challenge me for the Intercontinental Championship, then I’ll lay it down for you. Because we had a good one.”

    Bron Breakker faced the then NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate in a title unification match at the NXT Worlds Collide event back in September 2022.

    Breakker was only a year into his wrestling career but he was able to defeat Bate who had been wrestling for a decade at the point.

    Tyler Bate suffered an arm injury during the July 2 episode of NXT last month. He underwent a surgery on July 8 and the former champion is expected to stay out of action for the rest of the year.

  • WWE RAW Preview (8/5): SummerSlam 2024 Fallout

    WWE RAW Preview (8/5): SummerSlam 2024 Fallout

    Tonight’s edition of WWE RAW takes place from Baltimore, MD at the CFG Bank Arena.

    Programming Note: Raw will air again Syfy at 8pm ET, due to a pre-emotion on the USA Network due to the 2024 Olympics. WWE Raw returns to USA next week, August 12.

    Raw promises to be an action-packed centered around the fallout from SummerSlam. With new champions crowned, shocking betrayals, and major returns, this episode of RAW is set to address the significant changes in the WWE landscape.

    WWE RAW Tonight

    Here are the five matches scheduled for Raw:

    • The Wyatt Sicks vs. Chad Gable & The Creed Brothers
    • Sonya Deville vs. Dakota Kai
    • Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
    • The New Day vs. AOP
    • Awesome Truth vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory

    New Champions, New Era

    Bron Breakker emerged victorious over Sami Zayn to claim the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam. Fans can look forward to Breakker celebrating his win and possibly setting the stage for his first title defense Bash in Berlin later this month.

    One of the most notable moments from SummerSlam was Gunther capturing the World Heavyweight Championship. The Ring General’s victory was marred by Finn Balor’s betrayal of Damian Priest, causing a seismic shift within The Judgment Day faction and continuing the almost inevitable breakup.

    Gunther is scheduled to appear live on RAW, likely to assert his dominance and address his plans as the new champion ahead of Bash in Berlin.

    WWE Bash in Berlin Card Predictions: GUNTHER, Rhea Ripley & More

    The Judgment Day’s Implosion

    The betrayal within The Judgment Day has left the faction in disarray. Finn Balor’s open animosity and turn on Damian Priest, combined with Dominik Mysterio choosing Liv Morgan over Rhea Ripley, has left fans wondering about the future of the once-unified group.

    What happened last week?

    Catch up on the Top 10 Moments from last week’s WWE RAW:

    Keep it locked to SEScoops for our continued coverage of this week’s WWE Raw and head over to our WWE News section for more.

  • WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Card Predictions: GUNTHER, Rhea Ripley, Ilja Dragunov and more

    WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Card Predictions: GUNTHER, Rhea Ripley, Ilja Dragunov and more

    WWE Bash in Berlin is set to be the company’s first Premium Live Event to take place from Germany, but what could the card be?

    Taking into consideration what happened at SummerSlam, we’ll be taking a look at the landscape of the company and what matches we believe that the company will be booking for their first-ever PLE from Uber Arena in Berlin.

    WWE SummerSlam 2024 Recap

    Before looking at what we believe will happen at Bash in Berlin, it’s worth just recapping the events from SummerSlam:

    • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeated Solo Sikoa.
    • GUNTHER captured the World Heavyweight Championship from Damian Priest.
    • Drew McIntyre triumphed over CM Punk with Seth Rollins as the guest referee.
    • Nia Jax claimed the WWE Women’s Championship from Bayley.
    • LA Knight won the United States Championship from Logan Paul.
    • Bron Breakker secured the Intercontinental Championship from Sami Zayn.
    • Liv Morgan retained her Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley.

    Read More – WWE SummerSlam 2024 Results: Roman Reigns Returns to WWE

    WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Predicted Matches

    World Heavyweight Championship Match: GUNTHER vs. Drew McIntyre

    GUNTHER, fresh off his victory over Damian Priest, will likely defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre.

    McIntyre’s win over CM Punk at SummerSlam sets him up as a formidable challenger, and if they are going to be in the Hell in a Cell structure at Bad Blood (which we’re predicting), then he will probably need to interfere here to set up that blow off match.

    WWE Women’s Championship Match: Nia Jax vs. Michin

    Nia Jax begins her reign as WWE Women’s Champion by facing a fresh challenger, Michin.

    With Michin’s impressive performances on NXT and SmackDown recently, she emerges as a strong option for Jax’s first challenger.

    This match offers a fresh dynamic while keeping the door open for a potential rematch between Jax and Bayley at Bad Blood.

    WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton vs. The Bloodline

    Cody Rhodes continues his feud with The Bloodline, teaming up with Randy Orton to challenge for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

    We could easily see Randy turning on Cody here, setting up a future match between them and a potential program between now and the Royal Rumble.

    Intercontinental Championship Match: Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov

    Bron Breakker, the new Intercontinental Champion, will likely face Ilja Dragunov.

    Considering Dragunov’s history in Germany with the wXw promotion and his involvement in the Sami Zayn/Breakker feud, this makes all of the sense in the world and needs to happen.

    Mixed Tag Team Match: Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan

    Following the shocking betrayals within The Judgment Day at SummerSlam, we think that Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley will seek revenge against Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan.

    Getting this match on the card could then set up two singles matches between Balor/Priest and Morgan/Ripley at Bad Blood, with the women’s match potentially being in the HIAC.

    We will check back when the WWE Bash in Berlin match card is finalized and will grade our own predictions.

    Head over to our WWE Bash in Berlin section for more!

  • Informercial Icon Billy Mays Was Once Considered for a WWE RAW Appearance

    Informercial Icon Billy Mays Was Once Considered for a WWE RAW Appearance

    Infomercial legend Billy Mays was once considered for a role in WWF’s Attitude Era, before plans for the idea ultimately fell through. Mays’ son, Billy Mays III, revealed this week that during his father’s time promoting OxiClean, there were talks of the cleaning brand sponsoring a WWF event. This sponsorship would see Mays use OxiClean to effortlessly remove blood from a ring canvas.

    This appearance would have come around in 2001, according to the younger Mays. He added in the comments that his middle school self was “f***** pumped” at the idea of his dad being on WWF programming, though the idea never went further.

    Celebrities in the Attitude Era

    Having Billy Mays on RAW during the Attitude Era may seem odd, but there was no shortage of pop culture personalities on WWF programming during this famed period of wrestling. In 1998, amid his suspension from boxing, Mike Tyson joined DX and was the guest enforcer for WrestleMania 14’s main event between Shawn Michaels and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The following year, Arnold Schwarzenegger would appear on SmackDown and the Terminator/Predator star couldn’t help but get physical.

    Celebrities in wrestling has been a staple for decades, with Jelly Roll appearing at WWE SummerSlam just last weekend. While Mays may not have made it to RAW, the informercial legend remains iconic for his enthusiasm and salesman skills.

  • John Cena Teases Jelly Roll Tag Team After WWE SummerSlam Appearance

    John Cena Teases Jelly Roll Tag Team After WWE SummerSlam Appearance

    The unlikely tag team of John Cena & Jelly Roll could soon be appearing on WWE TV following the music artist’s appearance at WWE SummerSlam. The Biggest Party of the Summer saw Jelly Roll perform as a musical guest as his tracks “Dead End Road” and “Liar” served as the official themes of the show.

    Later in the night, Jelly Roll would deliver a chokeslam to Austin Theory and alongside Awesome Truth, leveled Theory and Grayson Waller with Cena-inspired ‘Five Knuckle Shuffles.’

    Cena didn’t appear at SummerSlam, though the show in Cleveland did see a trailer for his upcoming film. On Twitter, Cena was impressed by Jelly Roll’s work at the show and suggested that the pair could team up the next time WWE comes to Jelly Roll’s native Nashville.

    John Cena’s Unlikely Tag Team Partners

    Should Jelly Roll team with Cena, it wouldn’t be the 16-time WWE World Champion’s first unlikely ally. In 2007, Cena would hold World Tag Team Gold with Shawn Michaels, despite the pair being fierce rivals on the road to WrestleMania 23. History repeated itself four years later as Cena and The Miz became tag team champions ahead of their showdown at WrestleMania 27.

    Cena’s days of being in a tag team will end next year as 2025 will mark the end of his in-ring career. Cena made the announcement at WWE Money in the Bank 2024 and the WWE icon is set to embark on a retirement tour later this year. New Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker has said he hopes to defend the title against Cena. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on John Cena and his retirement tour.

  • Jonathan Coachman Comments On Positive And Negatives Of Working With Vince McMahon

    Jonathan Coachman Comments On Positive And Negatives Of Working With Vince McMahon

    Jonathan Coachman has revealed the goods and bads of working with Vince McMahon.

    The former WWE personality recently spoke to Bill Apter for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge. He talked about things such as his beef with Mercedes Mone and more.

    When asked for his thoughts on Vince McMahon, the Coach who worked closely with the former WWE chairman during his time in the company explained why he doesn’t like to comment on him:

    I don’t really have any thoughts about him in 2024 to be honest with you. I don’t like to comment on him, because at one point I was around him a lot, and I took a lot from what he taught us.”

    He Didn’t Care About My Family

    Jonathan Coachman joined WWE as a backstage interviewer in 1999. He gradually climbed the ladder and was working as a commentator on SmackDown when he left the company in 2008.

    Coachman also revealed the positive and negative side of working with McMahon. When asked to elaborate on his comment, he gave an example of things he regrets:

    “The positive stuff is learning how when the red light comes on, timing, emphasis, storytelling, all the stuff that kind of makes high-level pro wrestling what it is. Also the grind. We were forced into the grind, and in my first 10-year run, I only missed one Monday night. I look back on it now, and there’s a lot of regrets I have as far as things I missed because we couldn’t stand up for ourselves.

    I was at Christmas Eve, and I was back home in Kansas. You get a call to come back and shoot something in Connecticut. Because he wanted to go to Florida to be with his family, and really didn’t care about my family. So I did it because I never told him…. I only told him no once, and I got beat up for that. So, it is what it is.”

    The event Coachman is referring to happened when he skipped a voluntary tour of Afghanistan in 2001 because of his newborn baby. As a result, the former WWE personality was punished after a SmackDown show when both Undertaker and Batista beat him down.

  • Trish Stratus Didn’t Realize Her Impact On Wrestling Until This Specific Moment

    Trish Stratus Didn’t Realize Her Impact On Wrestling Until This Specific Moment

    Trish Stratus is one of the most iconic wrestlers in the history of the industry and many current superstars consider her their idol. The wrestling veteran, however, didn’t realize the impact she had on the business until she got the call for a Hall of Fame induction.

    The wrestling legend spoke to Sports Illustrated ahead of the premiere of the A&E Biography: WWE Legends episode focused on her career.

    Trish’s original run with WWE lasted only 6 years from 2000 to 2006. The female star left the company after that to look after her mother, without realizing the effect she would have on generations to come.

    Speaking about her 2013 Hall of Fame induction, Trish Stratus revealed that it was the first time she realized what she had done:

    “I went to work and did my best, getting the call for the Hall of Fame, that hit me. I didn’t realize what I was creating retrospectively. That was a reminder that we did make a difference and that people were impacted by that.

    Trish Stratus Was Overwhelmed Realizing Her Impact

    Trish Stratus returned to the ring at the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018. The young stars she got to meet during the time made her fully realized her influence on the business:

    “During the first women’s Royal Rumble, I kept hearing different women saying that I influenced them to get in the business. That was incredibly impactful. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how we influenced the business.”

    The former Women’s Champion has wrestled a number of matches since her 2018 return. Her latest outing came at the 2023 Payback event where Trish and Becky Lynch wrestled in a highly praised cage match.

    It doesn’t appear that we’ve seen the last of the wrestling veteran either. WWE has teased tensions between her and Tiffany Stratton. Stratus has also maintained that she has unfinished business with Zoey Stark after the young star turned on her during her Payback appearance.